Telephonic exchange system and device



2 Sheets-.-Sheet 1.

W.'A. CHILDS. Telephonic Exchange Systems and Devices.

No. 225,797. Patented Mar. 23,1880.

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v V 2 Sheets-Sheena W. A. OHILDS. Y Telephonic Exchange Systems and Devices.

.No. 225 ,797 Patented Mar. 23,1880.

Central OffineNoZ.

N. PETERS. I HOTO-LITHOBRAPHER. WASHINGTON. I)v C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. UHILDS, OF ENGLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY.

TELEPHONIC EXCHANGE SYSTEM AND DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 225,797, dated March 23, 1880.

Application filed January '24, 1880.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. OI-IILDs, of Englewood, in the State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Telephonic Exchange Systems and Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improved system and improved apparatus in telephone exchanges, which have for their object the prevention of the confusion, mistakes, and delays which have hitherto been found to occur at central oftices'or exchanges where subscribers wires are connected at their request, particularly Where but one wire is used between the subscribers station and the central station.

My invention also relates to similar appliances and methods of operation extended to or used between two or more central offices for the purpose of effecting connections and intercommunications between the subscribers whose wires terminate in any one of such central offices.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of a switch-board, of table-operator rooms, of the arrangement of circuits, and of the location of the listening and switch-board operators. Fig. 2 is a view of the wedge W; and Fig. 3 is a plan showing two or more central offices connected by trunk-lines and in ter-office listenin glines; and Fig. l is a section on linear a", Fig. 1, showing the wedge W in place.

The series of bars represented in the drawings as connected to lines marked from 101 to 132, and crossed at right angles by similar bars marked from 1 to 16, constitute a switch-board placed at the central station or office, and used as the means for connecting any two subscribers wires and subscribers of the telephone-exchange. These connections are made by inserting properly-shaped metal wedges, to be hereinafter described, between any two bars where they cross each other, space being left for inserting the wedge.

Instead of the switch-board thus described I contemplate the use of any other suitable switch-board, and I have used switch-boards having horizontal bars only, and, instead of thevertical bars,pieces terminating in flexible cords provided with plugs to fit holes pierced in the horizontal bars to receive them; and

any two lines are connected by inserting their plugs in any one of the horizontal bars. At or just below the bottoms of each vertical bar are formed a series of annunciators having thereon numbers from 10L to 132, correspondingto the numbers of the wires from which they are pendent, or rather to which they are connected, by means of the wedges IV V W. Below these ann'unciators runs a wire, G, to which are attached connections, which complete any of the circuits from 101 to 132 through a ground-connection. These bars may be increased as the number of subscribers increases.

The crossbars, one (1) to sixteen, (16,) .or more, as the case may be, are divided into clusterssay of four, (4,) or any other convenient number, each cluster being lettered A B O D, &c., or otherwise indicated, and connected with the tables of the table-operators in sections A B O D, &c., as indicated at the right of the switch-board, and in the usual manner.

Lisa line of wire common to all the sections A, B, O, and D, &c., which is provided with a battery, B, extends to the indicatorframe A B O D, &c., at the left of the switchboard, and has return-wire L extending from each particular indicator-letter to the section with which the same cluster is connected, as from A to A, B to B. These circuits are used to open or close the indicators, to show whether the operators in sections A B, 820., are occupied or not. The switch-board is divided vertically into sections of eight (8) wires each, as shown, each section to be placed in charge of a switchboard operator at S S S S The sections should contain as many bars and circuits as each switch-board operator can attend to. I

B B are batteries, one for eachroom or section A B, &c., all connected with the line L which has the ground-connection G. These batteries are used by the table section operators to ring up any subscriber wanted.

So far as these parts of the apparatus and the system hereinbet'ore described are concerned they work reasonably well when the calls for connections are not very numerous or not simultaneous but as these approach somewhat to the capacity of the appliances, and especially when many calls come together,a babel of confusion begins to reign, owing to the shouting back and forth between the table-op erators and the switch-board operators, resulting in frequent mistakes and delays and in imperfect service generally.

These object-ions my invention is intended to remedy by adding the following appliances and arrangements: First, connect the tablesections A B O D, &c., by means of a common circuit, 0, which 1 call the office-circuit, with a pair of telephones located near the switchboard and near the positions of the switchboard operators S, S, S and S in front of the same. Second, provide in each table-room or section switches 0 0 arranged so as to enable the table-operators to transfer their pairs of telephones from the switch-board circuits,and connect them with the office-ci rcuit 0 at will. Thus the table-operators can communi-. cate either with any subscriber or with the listening-operator 0 through the same pair of telephones, switching them from one line to the other, and thereby diminishing the liability to confusion and misunderstanding which might arise if the instruments were perma nently connected into the circuits, and thereby placed, to some extent, out of the control of the operator in the room. Third, I isolate the table-operators from each other and from the main or switch-board room and operators there, placing them apart, preferablyin separate rooms, so that they may not overhear or confuse each other and the switch-board operators in giving orders for connections and disconnections. Fourth, lplace a listening operator, 0, at the end of the office-circuit 0 in front of'the switch-board, which is connected with a pair of telephones for his use; and, fifth, 1 provide a switch-board so arranged'that a metal wedge inserted between the vertical and horizontal switch-bars with great facilitymakes the switch-board connections.

My method of operation is then as follows: Supposing that the subscriber on circuit N o. 132 desires to communicate with the subscriber on circuit No. 101: when he drops the annuir ciator No. 132 in the usual manner the switchboard operator at S, noticing it, glances at the indicator on the left of the switch-board to see which letters are uncovered, indicating that the table-operators occupying rooms or tables indicated on the right of the switch-board by similar letters are disengaged, and selecting on such, say D, he also selects a bar of the cluster marked D not in usesay 15--and throwing a battery provided for the purpose into the circuit by touching a battery-pin, P, thereto, thereby drops the annunciator 15 in room or section D, and immediately connects 132 and 15 by inserting the wedge W of 132 in between the bars at the crossing of the two switch-bars of that number, whereupon D, observing annunciator 15 in his room to drop, switches his pair of telephones into connection with the switch-bar 15 by means of his wire of that number, thereby establishing communieation with the subscriber 132, of whom he asks the name or number of the subscriber with whom he (132) desires to communicate. For brevitys sake, this is usually done bysaying hello 5 and 132 replies 132 101, or gives the name of the party desired, whereupon D, selecting some disengaged bar leading to his room-say 16switches his telephones out of circuit 132 into theoffice-circuit O, and instructs the listening operator 0, who sits listening for such orders from A, B, O, and D, to direct the switch T board operator at S to connect 101 and 16, upon receiving which order S touches the battery B to the bar 16, drops the annunciator of that number in room D for the information of the operator there, and immediately connects 101 and 16, as requested. Then D immediately proceeds to call subscriber 101 by touching the wire of the battery B to the wire 16, and when 101 responds he (D) connects the wires 15 and 16, thereby establishing telephonic communication between 132 and 101.

In order to know when the communication is completed, so as to disconnect at the proper time without listening to the conversation of the subscribers, D may keep one or both of the annunciators 15 or 16 in circuit, or he may have a special one arranged in any usual way, which can be dropped by either 132 or by 101, and notice be thereby given to D, who, in turn, notifies the listening operator 0 to disconnect, switching his telephones into the office-circuit O for that purpose, whereupon O, in turn, instructs the switch-board operators S and S to disconnect 132 and 101 in the inain-office switch-board. S thereupon disconnects 132, and restores the annunciator 132 to its place in connection with the bar 132, so as to be ready for any further notices, and S does the same thing for 101.

When the switch-board operator S first connects 132 and 15, as hereinbefore described, he immediately closes or covers the letter D in the indicator-frame at the left of the switchboard, which is arranged for that purpose, either by an independent circuit, H and H, connected therewith, or by mechanism operated by hand. The object of so covering or closing the letter D is to indicate that the tableoperator D is for the time being engaged. The switch-board operator S instead of glancing at the indicator on the left in the first instance, when annunciator No. 132 drops, may use the bars themselves as indicators to guide him, using any one which he finds free for his purpose.

At the time when the table-operator D completes the telephonic communication between subscribers 132 and 101, where the way is clear for that purpose, and also when he finds that 101 is busy, he (D) touches a push-button provided for that purpose, thereby connecting together the wire L and that one of the wires L leading to his room, and uncovers the letter D in the indicator at the left of the switch-board, the object of which is to inform the switch-board operators that the table-oper-' ator D is disengaged. Both or either of these operations may be executed mechanically; but I prefer to use a battery and circuit associated with the usual mechanical applicances for operating disks or other closing devices.

So far I have described the steps taken when the way is clear for the desired connection and communication; but when 132 desires to communicate with 101, and 101 is engaged in communication with some other subscriber, the method of operation is as follows Passing through the operations before recited, when the operator at S receives his order from 0 and attempts to fill it he discovers that the wedge W, 101, is out of its regular place above the annunciator, which indicates to S that 101 is otherwise engaged, whereupon he (S) takes a wedge made of non-conducting material, to avoid making any connection between the bars having the letter D thereon, and inserts it between the annnnciator 101 and its bar to I indicate that the table-operator D is waiting for 101, and at the same time he says to O, in whose presence he is, that 101 1s busy, and repeats the remark to table-operator D, through the office-circuit O and its telephones, D having retained his telephones in circuit for that purpose, waiting the dropping of the annunciator 16, as before stated, or notice that 101 is busy, as the case may be. Thereupon D informs 132, by telephone switched into that circuit, 1.01 is busy, and makes a suitable memorandum of the fact for his own future guidance, or possibly depends upon his memory in that regard, also sending an order to the list ening operator 0 to order 132 and 15 disconnected. WVhen 101 is disengaged an order to disconnect him is received by the switch-board operator S through the listening operator 0 and the table-operator in the particular room through which 101. was engaged; then S disconnects him, but in attempting to restore his wedge W to its proper place discovers the non-conducting wedgeavith the letter D, indicating that D is waiting for 101, and thereupon connects 101. with any disengaged bar and wire leading to room D, at the same time ringing up 101 by a battery provided for that purpose, or leaving D to do so by his battery B. Either of these methods found most convenient may be adopted. D, on discovering with whom he is connected, by switching in his telephone recalls the fact that 132 is waiting for 101. He then rings up 132 and connects132 and 101 together, as before described, with the proper annunciator or annunciators in circuit, to be dropped when the subscribers have completed their communications.

Of course any other two subscribers stations may be connected and disconnected in a similar manner. I prefer to have the office-circuit a metallic circuit complete in the central office and associated table-operator rooms, but of course a groundcircuit may be used; and when the distance is short a speaking-tube may be substituted for this circuit as a means of communication between the table-operators and the listening operator.

When the business of the oflicc requires it more than one ofice-circuit, 0, maybe provided with a listening operator for each circuit; and such additional circuits may extend between the same rooms or tables A B O D, or to still others having a part of the same business and corresponding functions and methods of operation. There may also be two or more table-operators in each room AB, &c., and one may have charge of connections while the other has charge of orders for disconnection.

I also extend trunk-lines 10 to 15, Fig. 3, between two or more central oftices, through which connections may be made between the subscribers centering at any two central offlees; and to operate these trunk-lines I extend another line or lines, between these central offices, over which the orders for that purpose are sent, and place a listening operator, at each central office on this line.

Now. when a subscriber, say No. 104, (in Fig. 3,) connected with central office No. 1, wishes to communicate with subscriber, say. No. 304, who is connected with central ofiice No. 3, the order of proceeding is as follows: He drops his annunciator No. 104 in central ofiice No. 1 and is connected by one of the short wires, say No. 4, with room-operator B, as before described. B then receives the order from 104, selects a disengaged short wire leading to the switch-board, say No. 3, and instructs the listening operator 0 on the officewire 0 to connect 304 with 3, who, in turn, repeats this order to the switch-board operator S. S then selects a disengaged trunk'line, say No. 13, leading to central ofiice No. 3, and connects it in the manner already described with wire No. 3, and at the same time instructs the listening operator 0 on the line extending between the central oiiices, to instruct central oflice No. 3 to connect subscriber 304 with trunk-line No. 13. (lentral office No. 3 executes this order in the manner as before described, whereupon roomoperator B in central oliice No. 1 thereby obtains direct connection with the subscriber wanted-No. 304-and immediately proceeds, as described in the first instance, to ring him up and connect him with the subscriber No. 104, who called for him, precisely as if he were a subscriber connected originally and directly with central office No. 1., The disconnection is accomplished by a similar series of orders to that heretofore described in the first instance, where disconnection. is ordered.

In case No. 304 is busy the switch-board operator S of central office No. 3 inserts a nonconducting wedge bearing the number 1 between the bar 304 and its annunciator to indicate that central office No. 1 is waiting for No. 304.. He (S) sends word to officc No.1 that 304 is busy, which is communicated to 104, and the proper memoraudums are made at both offices, so that when 304 is disengaged notices may be given and the proper connec tions then made.

IIO

In the absence of trunk-lines 12 and 13, or at will, the lines 10 or 11 and 14 or 15 maybe used in their stead, the orders and the con- 11 ections being repeated and completed through central office No. 2, and its operators and apparatus operating in a similar manner.

WVhen telephone-exchanges are operated in the manner herein described, whether between subscribers and their central office or between the subscribers of any two central offices through trunk-lines, the business is compelled to come in systematically and in order, since the table-operator can at once ascertain whether any other table-operator is giving orders, and thus be enabled to take his turn without creating confusion either between himself and other table operators, between himself and the switch-board operators, or between the switchboard operators themselves.

The wedges W WV are made as shown in Fig. 2, and are used instead of the plugs heretofore used to insert in holes made in the two switch board bars at the crossingpoints. These wedges are preferably made with handles, hard rubber or other suitable black material being preferred, the metal part M, consisting of a strip of thin spring-steel, extending longitudinally through a part of the handle, one end being bent first down and then up, so as to form the wedge IV, and the other end being turned up, so as to face the end of the handle entirely with metal to make contact as certain as possible.

The vertical metal bars Vare insulated from each other by means of rubber or other non conducting strips R, which project beyond the faces of the bars and are crossed by horizontal bars V, which rest on the rubber strips, or are otherwise insulated from the vertical bars, and are separated from each other and from the vertical bars a sufficient distance to allow of the easy insertion of the wedges be tween them both, and also the easy removal of the same. Instead of using strips of springsteel, I contemplate using asolid metal wedge of any kind and form capable of being inserted between the bars at their several points of crossing; but I prefer the spring-wedge shown and described, as it yields while being inserted and works better in some respects than a solid wedge of the same size would do. In my invention no holes are made at this point; but in inserting the insulators between the bars space is left, so that the wedges W WV being inserted between them electrical contact is made, and being removed is broken. Contact is effected in this way with greater certainty and facility, and the cost of the switch-board is materially reduced.

Such a switch-board is not confusing to the eye, as the old oneis, and enables the operator to ascertain more promptly and certainly whether the bars are engaged or disengaged. The great number of holes in the old form of switch-board presents an appearance which is injurious tothe eyes of the operators as well as confusing, while the plane surface of my switch-board is not so.

In using the term table-operators 1 do not intend to limit such operators to the use of tables, as their instruments and devices may be connected to any other convenient furniture for the purposes and uses described. The term is not, therefore, descriptive, but is used for convenient designation.

I hereby disclaim, so far as this specification and these Letters Patent are concerned, all the inventions shown, described, and claimed, or to be claimed, in my earlier application, filed November 29, 1879, and not claimed herein; and this disclaimer is in favor of my said last-mentioned application only. This disclaimer is intended to cover, and does cover, every invention not specifically claimed in the four claims of this specification; and all inventions shown, described, or otherwise found herein and also in the original application, but not so claimed herein, are left in the original application filed November 29, 1879.

1 claim as my invention- 1. In a telephone exchange system, an office-circuit, O, for the use of a listening operator, O, interposed between the tableoperators and the switch-board operators, for the purpose of conveying orders sem'ctim between them for the making and the breaking of connections.

2. In a telephoneexchange system consisting of two or more connected central offices, an inter-office circuit, 0, for the use of listening operators interposed between two or more central offices and the table and switchboard operators of each, for the purpose of conveying orders scriatim between them for the making and the breaking of connections between the subscribers wires of each central office, in the manner shown and described.

3. As an improvement in the method of operating a telephone-exchange central office, locating a listening operator, 0, between the table-operators and the switch board operators to transmit the orders and notices between them, in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

4. The office-circuits O, the inter-office circuits 0 the trunk-lines between central offices l, 2, and 3, suitable switch-boards at each office, indicator-circuits L L and H H, tableoperator circuits L and subscriber-circuits 101 102, &c., combined in one system, in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 23d day of January, 1880.

WM. A. OHILDS.

Witnesses:

GEORGE A. HAMMEL, AUGUST HoHMANN. 

